Search Climate Insights Directory

The paper examines the 'solidarity economy' in Central and Eastern Europe, arguing that while the region has a deep tradition of informal mutual aid and survival networks, these practices often inadvertently subsidize capitalist accumulation by covering reproduction costs that capital does not pay. It contrasts the 'new' solidarity movements in Western Europe and North America with the 'traditional' survival strategies of the semi-periphery, suggesting that for a genuine solidarity economy to emerge, these existing practices must be transformed from extractive to generative purposes.

The report examines the conflict between WTO farm subsidy rules and public stockholding programs used by developing countries for food security. It analyzes the impact of outdated reference prices and proposes five potential paths toward a permanent solution, concluding that a modified version of the 2013 Bali Decision is the most viable approach.

The document advocates for the complete removal of coal ash from storage ponds ("clean closure") rather than capping them in place. Based on studies of three power plants in South Carolina, Indiana, and Montana, the authors find that clean closures generate 2 to 7.5 times more positive economic impact for local communities than cap-in-place alternatives. The text highlights that 92 percent of coal ash ponds pollute groundwater above federal drinking water standards and that these burdens disproportionately affect low-income communities and people of color. It calls on the EPA, state officials, and Congress to enforce the 2015 Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule and provide financial resources for a just transition.

The report examines the trade implications of global climate policies on developing nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and least developed countries (LDCs). It finds that while fossil fuel exports face significant short-to-medium term threats due to decarbonization, the transition to renewable energy creates substantial growth potential for non-ferrous metals and specialty minerals. However, the report warns that these opportunities require significant investment and economic diversification to avoid the 'resource curse'. Agricultural exports are less directly affected by energy transitions but remain vulnerable to greenhouse gas intensity standards and consumer preferences in importing markets.

The document provides a multi-faceted analysis of how trade policies impact environmental and social sustainability. It highlights the new environmental provisions in the USMCA/T-MEC/CUSMA, the European Union's leadership in circular economy product policies, and the vulnerability of small island states' tourism sectors post-COVID-19. It also warns of rising non-tariff protectionism and discusses India's potential as a hub for electric vehicle battery recycling, while detailing the complexities of trade agreements in Latin America and the EU's proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism.

The report reviews public aid to Indonesia's marine capture fisheries, focusing on central government and three provinces: Aceh, Maluku, and North Sulawesi. It finds that while aid is significant—ranging from Rp 2.06 trillion in 2018 to Rp 11.01 trillion in 2019—it is often poorly targeted. Central aid is dominated by fuel subsidies and infrastructure, while provincial aid focuses on vessel and engine acquisition. The report warns that these 'input-based' subsidies can increase fishing capacity and pressure already overexploited fish stocks. It recommends deep-dive evaluations into five specific programs, including fuel distribution and vessel procurement, and calls for increased data transparency and a shift in success metrics from short-term production to long-term sustainable profitability.

The report assesses fisheries support in Indonesia, finding that central government spending focuses on fuel subsidies and infrastructure, while provincial support in Aceh, Maluku, and North Sulawesi emphasizes vessel and engine acquisition. It identifies fuel and fixed-cost supports as high-risk due to their potential to increase fishing capacity and effort in contexts where many fish stocks are already fully or overexploited.

The document challenges the notion that heavy transport and industrial heat are 'hard-to-abate' sectors, suggesting that they can be decarbonized profitably. It emphasizes the role of plummeting renewable energy costs and the potential for massive efficiency gains in trucking, aviation, shipping, and the production of steel and cement. The author advocates for 'integrative design' and structural efficiency to drastically reduce the volume of materials needed, thereby lowering both costs and emissions.

The document posits that electrifying ridehailing services, specifically mentioning companies like Uber and Lyft, serves as a catalyst for the broader EV transition. It suggests that this shift can lower operational costs and create profitable investment opportunities for the development of fast-charging infrastructure, which in turn helps to equitably expand charging capacity for all users.

Analysis of 2017 and 2018 model year non-luxury used electric vehicles (EVs) in California shows that they deliver total ownership savings of $1,100 and $500 respectively over a 5.5-year period compared to similar gas cars. While EVs carry a purchase price premium, this is offset by lower fuel and maintenance costs. The report highlights that targeted incentives, such as the Clean Cars 4 All program's maximum $9,500 rebate, can reduce total ownership costs by nearly 40% for lower-income households. The author recommends expanded EV financing, electricity rate reductions using cap-and-trade revenue, and increased support for charging infrastructure in multi-unit dwellings to ensure an equitable transition.

The document argues that current US climate policy reinforces inequities and risks political instability by placing the costs of transition on energy customers and workers. It proposes five objectives: decreasing energy burdens through flexible tax credits, driving growth via a 'transition tax credit' for carbon productivity, expanding Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO) financing to manage legacy fossil asset risks, increasing funding for the reclamation of fossil fuel sites, and prioritizing the retirement of assets causing the most health harm.

The document examines South Africa's service sector, which contributes approximately 61% to national GDP and employs over 5.5 million workers. While the sector is large, the authors argue that growth must shift toward exports, particularly within Africa, as the domestic market is overdeveloped. The brief concludes that the AfCFTA is unlikely to provide a short-term boost due to a lack of specific service sector commitments and persistent regulatory hurdles, such as visa restrictions and inadequate ICT infrastructure. It recommends establishing a unified coalition of service providers and updating digital infrastructure to enhance South Africa's role as a regional gateway.

Cooking poverty affects 3.83 billion people across 71 countries, causing over four million deaths annually. The report argues that the current 'clean cooking' sector is fragmented and underfunded, with an annual funding gap of approximately $10 billion. It proposes a shift toward the term 'cooking poverty' to better reflect the scale of the crisis and suggests a 'Playbook' to centralize sector knowledge. Key recommendations include merging electrification and cooking efforts, utilizing carbon markets for small business finance, and adopting an incremental approach to transition households from unimproved to modern cooking.

The document examines the technological, economic, and environmental aspects of transitioning the U.S. transportation sector to electric vehicles. It highlights the role of falling battery costs, the necessity of expanding charging infrastructure, and the potential for significant public health improvements, particularly in marginalized communities. It also addresses challenges related to the sourcing of critical minerals like lithium and cobalt and the impact of regional climates on vehicle range.

The document outlines the environmental and economic benefits of bicycle infrastructure, noting that federal investment rose from $22.9 million in 1992 to over $970 million in 2017. It describes various infrastructure types, such as protected lanes and bike-sharing systems, and highlights a significant increase in cycling and e-bike sales during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data indicates that bicycle commute shares rose in many major U.S. cities between 1990 and 2015, and research suggests that replacing car lanes with bike lanes often has positive effects on local retail and food service businesses.

The report finds that a vast majority of U.S. coal capacity is now more expensive to operate than building new wind or solar power. As of 2020, 72% of coal capacity (166 GW) was deemed uneconomic or slated for retirement by 2025. The authors argue that this 'cost crossover' is accelerating due to rapid declines in renewable costs and falling coal capacity factors. The document recommends that policymakers implement all-source competitive procurement and coal asset securitization to transition to cleaner, cheaper energy portfolios while managing the financial risks of early plant retirement.

The testimony argues that US fossil fuel subsidies primarily increase excess profits rather than creating jobs, undermine global climate goals, and contribute to public health crises and environmental inequalities.

The document assesses six policy options to raise cocoa prices and farmer incomes to combat poverty, deforestation, and child labour. It concludes that most trade-based interventions, such as export price regimes or import duties, are unsustainable in the long term due to risks of over-supply, reduced consumer demand, and WTO compatibility issues. The author identifies bilateral partnership agreements as the most promising approach to create the governance and sustainability standards necessary for a comprehensive sector reform.

The report finds that livestock productivity in the Legal Amazon is highly homogeneous and characterized by an extensive production model with low input use. While disseminating existing best practices from the most productive municipalities could increase production value by 17.6-29.4% without further deforestation, this is significantly lower than the potential seen in crop agriculture. The authors argue that substantial gains require a new business model involving technologies not yet used at scale, such as integrated crop-livestock systems, and the combatting of land grabbing (grilagem), which incentivizes low-productivity extensive ranching for land speculation.

The document argues that the US shift away from coal has occurred without adequate planning, leaving workers and communities to face economic upheaval. It proposes a support package including wage replacement, educational benefits, and community infrastructure investments, estimating the cost between $33 billion and $83 billion. The brief identifies 462 'coal counties' and highlights the need for environmental remediation of mine and plant legacies to enable future economic diversification.